| I put in a raised, everbearing strawberry garden this summer. The few berry's I have gotten have been very malformed. I water also daily as the raised bed dries quickly. Any suggestions? |
| Malformed strawberries can be the result of insect feeding, of heat stress, or of excessive nitrogen applications. It's difficult for me to pinpoint the problem without seeing the berries. Check carefully for signs of insects, especially when the fruits are just beginning to form. Hold off on fertilizer and try to water deeply when you apply water. It's okay for the top half inch of soil to dry out between waterings. The important thing is that the soil down where the roots are concentrated maintains a nice moisture level. You may need to dig down into the soil to see how deeply the water penetrates. The goal is to water long enough that the top 8-10 inches of soil gets wet. Then allow it to dry slightly before watering thoroughly again. Daily watering is excessive unless you have very sandy soil that does not hold moisture. Hope this information helps! |
